Interesting Facts

• Kittim was one of the sons of Javan.
• The descendants of Chittim are identified as the Romim, who settled in the valley of Canopia by the river Tibreu.
• The children of Chittim engaged in warfare with the children of Tubal.
• The children of Chittim entered into an agreement with the children of Tubal not to intermarry.
• The people of Chittim were involved in a situation where they rejected a request from Turnas for a woman named Jania because King Angeas of Africa had requested her first.

Genealogy

• Kittim was a son of Javan.
• Javan was a son of Japheth.
• Japheth was one of the sons of Noah.
• Therefore, the Kittim were descendants of Japheth, belonging to the branch that populated the isles of the Gentiles.
• The descendants of Chittim are referred to as the Romim.

Historical Context

Kittim, as a son of Javan, lived in the second generation after the flood, a period estimated to be between 1688 and 1722 A.M.. This was a time of significant dispersal of Noah’s descendants following the confounding of languages at Babel. The sons of Japheth, including Javan and his offspring like Kittim, migrated to the north and west, settling in their allotted territories, which were described as the isles of the Gentiles. The establishment of cities and distinct familial identities characterized this era. Later, the narrative involving the children of Chittim reveals interactions with the descendants of Ham (Africa) and further conflicts and alliances, indicating the ongoing development of these post-diluvian societies and their interrelations. The emergence of figures like Zepho becoming king of Chittim highlights the formation of more structured political entities within these groups.

Narrative

The narrative involving Kittim begins with his inclusion in the genealogical lists as one of the sons of Javan, contributing to the initial repopulation of the earth after the flood. His descendants, known as the children of Chittim or the Romim, settled in the valley of Canopia by the river Tibreu. The sources detail a period of conflict between the children of Chittim and the children of Tubal, resulting in a significant number of casualties for Tubal and a subsequent agreement not to intermarry, indicating the early formation of distinct cultural boundaries and potential rivalries between these Japhetic lineages. Later in the narrative, the people of Chittim are depicted in interactions with other groups, such as King Angeas of Africa and Turnas, showcasing their political considerations and fear of larger powers. The arrival of Zepho, a descendant of Esau, who eventually becomes their king after leading them to victory against Angeas’s troops, marks a significant turn in their narrative, highlighting their capacity to adapt and integrate outsiders into their leadership. Zepho’s reign and his subsequent alliance with the children of Esau and Ishmael to wage war against Egypt further illustrate the evolving political landscape and the complex relationships between the various descendants of Noah. While the personal actions or dialogues of Kittim himself are not recorded, the actions of his descendants provide insight into the development and interactions of one of the key branches of the Japhetic lineage in the ancient world.